I like to use Krylon's "Now" spray cans occasionally. They have good color, dry fast, and have a smooth finish.
I was just painting a project and finished up the last of an old can, which smelled and behaved like enamel as I expected. Then I did a finishing coat a day later with a new can, and noticed it had a familiar sugary-sweet smell instead. It also dried much more quickly (smooth to touch in about 5 minutes - I usually have to wait about 20 before handling gloss colors by the edges). Then when I inspected the model, a small area had crazed and I suddenly remembered what the smell was. Lacquer! The can still classifies it as an enamel paint, but it seems they've changed their formula to some sort of laqcuer blend to quicken the drying time!
There's nothing wrong with the coat when used on its own. If any of you like to use this brand though, make sure you don't use a pure enamel paint underneath.
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Thus far, I've limited my use of non-model paint to metal or engineering plastic parts - cheap Walmart flat black to paint steel weights for cars and trucks, or the axles of wheelsets after I add resistors tohide the silver conductive paint - it doesn't harm the silver paint.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker Thus far, I've limited my use of non-model paint to metal or engineering plastic parts - cheap Walmart flat black to paint steel weights for cars and trucks, or the axles of wheelsets after I add resistors tohide the silver conductive paint - it doesn't harm the silver paint. --Randy
Me too Randy. I can't even begin to get my head around the idea of painting a model train with a hardware store rattle can.
But, then again I'm still having a hard time with acrylic model paint too.
Scalecoat is my friend......and I own three air brushes
Sheldon
Not sure what Krylon "Now" paint is. Is that a common product?
- Douglas
https://www.sherwin-williams.com/home-builders/products/krylon-now-spray-paint
The only review is from a model railroader It's not mine.
If you search Sherwin Williams for Krylon, you get 29 products, but not Now. It claims to be plastic safe.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddyIf you search Sherwin Williams for Krylon, you get 29 products, but not Now.
If not Now, When?
I get the stuff from Ace Hardware. It's probably exclusive to certain stores, but it's a decent value for the quality of paint. I normally prefer Scalecoat II, but there are many other cases where the Krylon does a great job, and it dries thin enough to not obscure details.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL I can't even begin to get my head around the idea of painting a model train with a hardware store rattle can. But, then again I'm still having a hard time with acrylic model paint too. Scalecoat is my friend......and I own three air brushes Sheldon
I can't even begin to get my head around the idea of painting a model train with a hardware store rattle can.
I've won numerous awards for spray painted models of all kinds, and have successfully restored many antique Lionel trains using spray paint. It's all in what we get used to for tools.
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Darth Santa Fe I get the stuff from Ace Hardware. It's probably exclusive to certain stores, but it's a decent value for the quality of paint. I normally prefer Scalecoat II, but there are many other cases where the Krylon does a great job, and it dries thin enough to not obscure details.
I read once where Krylon formulates its products bent towards not running.
(Remember the old commercials with Johnny Bench, "no runs, no drips, no errors")
So its pigments are more finely ground and it sprays lighter with a faster drying time.
I think most other hardware store type paints are bent towards quick coverage, since homeowner uses of spray paint can be tedious and time consuming. Not to mention thick for durability.
All other brands stink for models for this reason.
I used to have excellent results using "Martin Senior" brand spray paints from NAPA.
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I have also used spray cans for various projects and always had acceptable results. It is all in using a good technique.
I will always prefer my Paasche Model H and Scalecoat 2 paints for "when it counts", but spray cans are quick, convenient, and easy to use.
-Kevin
Living the dream.